Luxury Buyer's Guide to Cushion Cut Diamonds

Learn everything you need to know about buying a cushion cut diamond.

History of the Cushion Cut Diamond

The cushion cut diamond traces its origins to the "Old Mine Cut," which emerged in the 1700s. This cut was designed to maximize the diamond's brilliance in candlelight, featuring a squarish shape with rounded corners and 58 facets. The Old Mine Cut was the precursor to the modern cushion cut. It was characterized by a high crown, small table, deep pavilion, and a large culet. These diamonds were hand-cut, resulting in variations in symmetry and proportions.

During the Victorian era (1837-1901), the cushion cut gained popularity and was commonly used in jewelry designs. The cut's romantic and vintage appeal made it a favorite among jewelers and consumers alike. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, advancements in diamond cutting techniques led to the transition from the Old Mine Cut to the cushion cut. The cushion cut retained the rounded corners and larger facets but introduced more refined proportions and symmetry.

The cushion cut saw a resurgence in popularity during the Art Deco period of the 1920s and 1930s, known for its geometric and bold designs. The cut's larger facets allowed for greater light dispersion, making it an ideal choice for the era's glamorous jewelry.

Popularity of the Cushion Cut Diamond

The cushion cut diamond's unique blend of vintage and contemporary appeal makes it a popular choice for luxury buyers. Its versatility and ability to showcase a diamond's brilliance and fire continue to attract new buyers of engagement rings. Cushion cut diamonds make up about 8-10% of the diamond market. For luxury buyers looking for diamonds over 3 carats, the cushion is generally considered the third most popular after round brilliant and oval cut diamonds.

Famous cushion cut diamonds include The Hope Diamond, a fancy dark greyish blue cushion cut diamond weighing 45.52 carats. The Hope Diamond is known for its striking blue color and storied past. It has passed through the hands of several owners, including King Louis XIV of France, and is currently housed in the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History. The Regent Diamond is 140.64 carat cushion cut diamond thagt is near colorless D. Discovered in India in the early 1700s, the Regent Diamond was once part of the French crown jewels and is now on display at the Louvre Museum in Paris. It is known for its exceptional clarity and brilliance. The Tiffany Yellow Diamond is a fancy yellow cushion cut diamond weighing 128.54 carats. This diamond is one of the largest yellow diamonds ever discovered and is famous for its vibrant color and unique cut. It has been worn by famous individuals such as Audrey Hepburn and Lady Gaga.

The 4 Cs: Carat, Clarity, Color, and Cut

Standard cushion cut typically features 58 facets, similar to the round brilliant cut. However, cushion cuts can vary in their facet patterns, with some having 64 or more facets. The modified cushion cut includes additional facets, which can enhance the diamond's brilliance. This variation often results in a "crushed ice" appearance, adding to the diamond's sparkle. When selecting a cushion cut diamond, pay close attention to its depth, table, and L/W ratio to ensure a well-balanced and visually appealing stone. We also suggest opting for high symmetry and polish grades since these factors significantly affect the diamond's overall appearance and light performance.

Carat: As a luxury seller of diamonds, Sotheby's generally sells cushion diamonds that are 3 carats and larger. Sotheby's sells some smaller cushion cut diamonds but these are either colored diamonds or very high quality diamonds that are classified as colorless and in the flawless/internally flawless clarity grade.
Clarity: Sotheby's recommends VS or better clarity for cushion cut diamonds set as rings.
Color: We recommend a G color or better for cushion cut diamond rings.
Cut: Ideal depth for a cushion cut diamonds is between 60-68%. The ideal table percentage is 57-65%. The length to width ratio can vary widely from nearly square to more rectangular. Ratios between 1.00 to 1.10 are often preferred for a balanced appearance.

Type I and Type II Diamonds

About 95% of diamonds are Type Ia and contain trace amount of nitrogen. Most engagement rings and other diamond jewelry are made from Type Ia diamonds. Type Ib diamonds are often associated with intense canary yellow diamonds and are often used for jewelry. Type II diamonds are much rarer than Type I diamonds and have fewer inclusions and higher clarity than the more common Type I diamonds.

Type IIa diamonds are the purest form of diamonds with no measurable nitrogen or boron impurities. These diamonds are often colorless but can also be found in rare colors like pink, brown or blue. These are extremely rare and comprise less and 2% of all mined diamonds. These diamonds are formed under high-pressure and high-temperature conditions which can give the diamond higher clarity and brilliance. Sotheby's sold the The Williamson Pink Star, a Type IIa Fancy Vivid Pink Diamond weighing 11.15 carats for almost $60 million in 2025.

Type IIb diamonds contain boron which give them blue or grayish-blue color. Unlike other diamonds, Type IIb are semiconductors and can conduct electricity and are even rarer than Type IIa diamonds. The Hope Diamond is an example of a famous Type IIb cushion cut diamond.

Fancy Colored Cushion Cut Diamond Rings

Cushion cut diamonds are popular for fancy colored diamonds. The cut enhances the color and sparkle of colored diamonds. Cushion cut diamonds are known for their ability to retain and emphasize the diamond’s color. The shape and faceting of a cushion cut help to enhance the intensity and depth of the color, making it a preferred choice for fancy colored diamonds. While cushion cuts may not be as brilliant as round cuts, they still offer significant brilliance and fire. This combination helps to highlight the diamond’s color while still providing plenty of sparkle. Cushion cut diamonds also come in a variety of shapes, from square to rectangular, and can be set in many different styles. This versatility makes them suitable for a range of fancy colored diamonds and allows jewelers to create custom pieces that highlight the diamond’s unique color. Fancy colored cushion cut diamonds are significantly more expensive than white diamonds of similar quality due to their rarity.

Celebrity Cushion Cut Diamond Rings

Kim Kardashian's original engagement ring from Kanye West was a 15 carat cushion cut diamond. Sofia Vergara's engagement ring was a 7 carat cushion cut diamond set in a halo setting. Chrissy Teigen received a 5-6 carat cushion cut diamond ring from John Legend. Zoe Kravitz's engagement ring features a 7 carat elongated cushion cut diamond. Jennifer Garner's engagement ring from Ben Affleck featured a 4.5 cushion cut diamond. Gabrielle Union's engagement ring from Dwyane Wade featured an 8.5 carat cushion cut diamond. Karlie Kloss received a 7-8 carat cushion diamond from Josh Kushner in 2018. Tom Brady gave Gisele Bundchen a 4 carat cushion cut diamond in 2009.

Buying a Cushion Cut Diamond Ring at Sotheby's

Sotheby's sells natural cushion cut diamond rings on its marketplace, available for immediate shipping. Prices start at around $40,000 for a 3 carat cushion cut diamond that is VS clarity and H color. This price can vary depending on the cut, fluorescence, polish, brand and provenance. Along with high quality unsigned diamond rings VS clarity and H color or better, Sotheby's also sells cushion cut diamond rings from top luxury brands including Harry Winston, Tiffany, Cartier and more. Sotheby's also sells rare and impressive cushion cut diamond rings at auctions in New York, London, Switzerland, Paris and Hong Kong. You can also contact a Client Advisor in New York or Bucherer in Zurich to learn more about Sotheby's diamond engagement rings. In addition to the available cushion cut diamond rings listed on marketplace or available at auction, Sotheby's is also able to source a cushion cut diamond ring from its global supplier network. Browse our curated selection online and reach out to a Salon associate to schedule a viewing.